Premium class sax, flute & clarinet tracks from a first-call session musician with 25+ years at the top - Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight, West End, Film & TV. A highly versatile instrumentalist with the experience to interpret charts accurately, enhance arrangements creatively, and deliver performances that elevate your production.
Add world-class woodwind performances to your productions with a trusted, highly experienced session musician. With 25+ years as a top professional player and 15+ years providing premium remote recording services, Ian delivers exceptional saxophone, flute and clarinet tracks for clients worldwide.
Ian’s career spans major artist tours, London West End shows, feature films, TV, radio and studio recording, working with legendary artists including Barry Manilow, Gladys Knight, Roger Daltrey, Sister Sledge, The Supremes and Frank Sinatra Jnr, as well as organisations such as the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
No project is too big or too small - whether you need a single soulful solo line, tight pop or funk horn parts, elegant jazz improvisation, or full saxophone/woodwind section arrangements, every project is approached with the same attention to detail, musicality and professionalism.
All sessions are recorded in a professional studio setup using Logic Pro, Mojave MA200/300 microphones and Focusrite interfaces, ensuring pristine, mix-ready audio and fast, reliable delivery.
If you’re looking for reliable, world-class woodwind recordings with the feel, tone and credibility of a seasoned first-call session musician—this is the service trusted by composers, producers and artists across the industry.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Credits
Endorse Ian Smith11 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients
check_circleVerifiedIan is a joy to work with. He puts in the extra effort to make his clients happy. Great working with him.
check_circleVerifiedIan did an amazing job recording Clarinet for our track!
Will definitely be working with him again.- check_circleVerified
Great experience working with Ian from start to finish! A real pro and world class musician. Highly recommended!
- check_circleVerified
There was no need to confirm Ian's musical taste for sax and flute. he did a very good job and I really hope to have new cooperation in the future.
- check_circleVerified
It has been a pleasure to work with SoundBetter; I needed a saxophone track for one of my songs and I work with a very talented player, Ian Smith, that perfectly interpreted my requests. Thank you SB, thank you Ian. I am sure we will meet again. Paolo
check_circleVerifiedIan once again delivers beautiful and fast results, couldn't recommend him any more highly. True artist and professional. You will not be disappointed!
check_circleVerifiedA real joy to work with Ian. Amazing perfomance and such a beautiful sound. Thank you !
- check_circleVerified
Working with Ian is a dream. His tone is unbelievable, his timing is perfect, and his skills are amazing. He delivers quickly and is true to his word. Ian is also a great communicator. One of the best experiences I've ever had working with another musician. Thank you Ian! Hope to work with you soon!
- check_circleVerified
A pleasure to work with Ian, easy to communicate with - but most important; Beautiful playing and hi quality sound.
Thanks for the contribution, Ian. - check_circleVerified
Great tracks from Ian, who is a great saxophonist and who has been also very helpful regarding how to get through all these so special scores particularities. Thanks so much Ian.
Top notch! Great communication and outstanding sound!
Couldn't have asked for more.
Interview with Ian Smith
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Snake Davis and Alex Bone are wonderful musicians.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: To provide all the saxophone and clarinet parts to a computer game soundtrack. 48 separate tracks (possibly 52 - I may have forgotten a couple) recorded in a studio in London (not remotely). Started at 10am, finished at 2pm. Great arrangements and compositions to play. Really well run session. Totally enjoyable and sounded pretty good too.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Either. I'm happy to work and provide whatever the client requires.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That each and every track, or tracks, have 110% commitment and are as good as they can be. I aim to provide 110% of what the client wants.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The huge variety of each and every project and working with very interesting and creative people.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Would I be interested in their project? 99.99999999% of cases, yes of course! Can I provide the track tomorrow? 99.99999999% of cases, yes of course! How much? Each and every project is different and I'm always more than happy to negotiate a mutually convenient fee.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: It's easy. Music is subjective and being able to cater to a wide variety of clients and to provide the best service possible involves hard work no matter how big or small the project is.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have any charts? If not, do you have a clear demo track (either audio or midi) of what you want me to play in terms of melody or harmony. Do you have a particular style that you require?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Look at past and present work and remember that you can't google experience.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Saxophone (or clarinet or flute), microphone, computer, interface, headphones
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Diverse. I can play Classical Flute or Clarinet, Funk Tenor Sax, Big Band Lead Alto Sax all on one session!
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Client sends written part or clear demo plus a guide track and clear instructions. I then provide up to 3 takes for the client to approve.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Dan Higgins, Eric Marienthal, Bob Reynolds, Tim Akers, Jess Gillam, Andrew Marriner, Jeff Lorber, Cannonball Adderely, Phil Woods
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Flute tracks for an art gallery installation and a television programme
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Over 30 years as a top professional musician
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Any - everyone delivers a unique experience that makes making music a real pleasure.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Always strive for the best possible sound and execution
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Jazz, Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Big Band, Classical, Pop, Rock, R and B
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Reading, style versatility, improvisation
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Professionalism, fast turnaround, high quality tracks (as found in any top London studio), over 30 years of experience playing for many international artists and on many sessions.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Logic Pro X Mojave MA200 microphone Focusrite Clarett preamp/interface
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Providing Saxophone (Soprano, Alto, Tenor), Flute or Clarinet tracks for a variety of clients' projects such as jingles, demo tracks for singer/songwriters, loops, film and television tracks, album tracks, etc.
I was the Sax/Flute/Clarinet player in this production
2 Free Revisions if required (Additional revisions will incur a fee).
Available for fast turnarounds.
- Logic Pro X - Mojave MA200 Microphones - Focusrite Interfaces - Audio Technica Headphones
